The following obituaries are from the Dec. 3, 2009 print edition of the Jordan Independent newspaper:

Roger M. Nelson

Roger Nelson, 73, of Montgomery, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 at Central Health Care in LeCenter.

Born in Jordan on May 8, 1936, Mr. Nelson was the son of Reissnor and Rose (Schmitt) Nelson. On Oct. 16, 1976 he married Sheila Lehnen in Prior Lake. They made their home in Jordan where he worked for the city of Jordan and later Gedney Pickle in Chaska. He enjoyed fishing, NASCAR racing, playing his guitar and spending time with his family.

Mr. Nelson is survived by his wife, Sheila, of Montgomery; sons, Jeff (Karen) of Prior Lake, Randy (Tanya) of Richfield; daughters, Denise (Brian) of Coleraine, Jessica (Jason) of Louisiana, Christy (Kelly) of Kilkenny; brothers, Robert of St. Paul, Donald, Sheldon and Darrell, all of Jordan; sisters, Mary Ann Hagg of Brooklyn Park, Rose Mary Donaldson of Jordan; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy; brothers, Joseph and Ted.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. from the Wagner Funeral Home in Jordan with the Rev. Joseph Thunker officiating. Pallbearers were Rick, Curt, Timmy, Teddy Jo and Brian Nelson and Kelly Strobel. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.

Arrangements by Wagner Funeral Home, 952-492-3366.

Cecelia M. Theis

Cecelia Theis, 93, of Shakopee, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009 at Friendship Manor Health Care Center, Shakopee.

She was born in Jordan on Aug. 20, 1916 to Peter and Anna (Pieper) Hennes. She married Nicholas Theis on March 4, 1935 in Jordan. A loving wife, mother and homemaker, Cecelia was a member of St. Mark’s Council of Catholic Women.

Survivors include children, Ken (Donna) Theis, Marv (Pat) Theis, Darlene Arnston, Charlotte (Jerry) Hinderscheit, Rosemary Telthoester, Bernie Arndt, Richard (Vicki) Theis, Gary (Deb) Theis, Joe and Kate Doheny, Mary (Charlie) Breeggemann, Cece (Ron) Burandt, Ben Theis; 43 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Ray (Rosella) Hennes; sister, Rose (Bob) Grommesch.

She was preceded in death by her husband; children, Dorothy, Sister Georgia O.S.B., Juane, Beverly and Nick Jr., Barb and Betty; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three brothers, Clarence, Melvin and Earl; two sisters, Viola and Marie.

Visitation was Friday, Nov. 27, from 4-8 p.m. at the McNearney Funeral Home, Shakopee.

Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, Nov. 28, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Shakopee, with the Rev. Timothy Norris and Deacon James Pufahl officiating. Pallbearers were Cecelia’s sons, Ken, Marv, Richard, Gary Theis, Joe Doheny, Ben Theis. Interment at Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee.

Funeral arrangements through the McNearney Funeral Home in Shakopee, 952-445-2755. www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com

George John Vohnoutka

George Vohnoutka, 78, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minn. and formerly of Jordan, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 from congestive heart failure at home under hospice care.George Vohnoutka

George John Vohnoutka was born Sept. 30, 1931, in St. Patrick (New Prague), Minn., the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Plavich) Vohnoutka. He attended grade school in St. Patrick and graduated from New Prague High School in 1947. He was drafted into the Army Infantry Division in 1952, served in the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He continued to serve until 1960 in the Reserves. George married Marietta Pauly on May 4, 1955 at St. Joe Catholic Church in Jordan. They made their home in Jordan, where George worked as a carpenter for many years. George and Marietta moved to Pelican Rapids in 2000. George was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending time with his brothers and his sons in the Ivanhoe hunting camp.

George is survived by his wife, Marietta Vohnoutka, of Pelican Rapids; sons, Randy Vohnoutka of New Prague, Ken Vohnoutka of Aurora, S.D., and Kevin (Holly) Vohnoutka of Detroit Lakes; daughters, Shirley (Tom) Herrmann of Belle Plaine, Debbie (Kevin) Heinrich of Shakopee, Sharon (Bill) Florea of Lonsdale, Gloria Bandy of Jordan; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Vohnoutka; sisters, Marion Rafdal and Angie Busch; sister-in-law, Phyllis Vohnoutka; great-grandchild, Blake Kes.

Visitation is Monday, Dec. 7, from 10-11 a.m. at St. Leonard’s Catholic Church, Pelican Rapids. Service follows at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. The Rev. Stan Wieser will officiate. Military honors provided by V.F.W. Post 5252 and American Legion Post 17, Pelican Rapids. Burial at Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery, Little Falls, Minn.

Arrangements by Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids. Online guestbook: www.larsonfuneralpelicanrapids.com.